Assessments Officer (Examinations)

Job id: 085827. Salary: £32,179 – £35,596 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 05 March 2024. Closing date: 24 March 2024.

Business unit: Students & Education. Department: Examinations & Assessment team.

Contact details:Lisa Greenslade (Head of Assessment and Examinations). [email protected]

Location: Strand Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.

Job Description

About us

We are the Examinations Team. We manage the organisation and operation of over 2,600 invigilated examinations annually for more than 100,000 candidatures, including those delivered overseas and online, and for all King’s College London students. 

We are responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive service that is fit for purpose and evolves constantly to meet the needs of our students. This includes devising and implementing all associated business processes to ensure they are responsive and proactive, and driving a culture of service management and improvement that centres our students at the heart of the service. 

About the role

We are recruiting for a flexible and proactive Assessments Officer who will be responsible for supporting the administrative operations of the university’s in-person examinations service. The role holder will work alongside the operational team to ensure the successful delivery of in-person examinations.  

This is an exciting opportunity for colleagues looking to work closely with students and who wish to utilise their skills and expertise in supporting large-scale events and complex high-stakes administrative processes.  

We encourage applications from candidates who have experience from both within and outside of the Higher Education sector where they can demonstrate the skills needed to succeed in this role. 

This post will be offered on a two-year fixed-term contract. 

This post is offered as a full-time post but we are happy to talk about part-time, job-share and other flexible working options. There are essential periods of high intensity associated with protected examination periods (usually January, May and August) throughout the academic year.

Key responsibilities

To support and contribute to the work of the Examinations Team in the delivery of effective customer-focused services by: 

Service Delivery  

• Contributing to the Examinations Service by providing administrative support, using a broad range of technology and systems.
• Assisting with the on-site operations during the examination periods.
• Maintaining key resources, such a SharePoint, mailing lists and key databases and spreadsheets.
• Contributing towards problem resolution with colleagues across our central teams and faculties
• Developing strong working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and ensuring that the service is well represented in appropriate forums.

Communication and Networking 

• Assisting with the completion of applications for Personalised Access Arrangements
• Explaining complex processes to casual examinations staff such as invigilators or packing assistants.
• Drafting communications to key stakeholders.

Decision Making, Planning & Problem Solving 

• Monitoring stationery supplies for the Examinations Service and re-ordering as necessary.
• Tracking Supplier payments, following University policies and procedures as appropriate.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. 

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

Experience of contributing towards the administration and planning of  mass participation events, or in high volume and time sensitive work or projects.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, including Excel, SharePoint and MS Teams.

Proven experience of managing individual workload, in an environment where priorities are often conflicted.

Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex processes to a wide range of audiences.

Excellent problem solving and data analysis skills, and the ability to make sound judgement and suggestions in high-risk situations.

Experience of contributing towards change in business processes, and collaborating with stakeholders during periods of change.

Experience using large database software, such as a student record system.

Desirable criteria

Knowledge and experience of SITS, and Scientia Exam Scheduler

Knowledge of the Higher Education Sector, including the current challenges potentially facing the examinations service

Further Information 

Your application should clearly set out how you meet the essential criteria as this is how we shortlist applications. Learn more about how we recruit, including tips on writing your application and supporting statement on our website: https://jobs.kcl.ac.uk/gb/en/applying  

Interviews will be held using Microsoft Teams and will consist of competency-based questions linked closely to the essential and desirable criteria mentioned here.